Itineraries for Your Trip to Charleston
1 Day in Charleston for First Timers
Nothing makes you appreciate your own country’s culture more than years of living abroad, so it was only after moving to Europe that I began to explore the historic cities dotting the eastern coastline of the US. One of the most charming, of course, is Charleston in South Carolina. Its cobblestone streets and colorful antebellum homes provide a postcard-perfect backdrop for horse-drawn carriages, while Fort Sumter and other Civil War–related sites satisfy lovers of US history.
To break up one day in Charleston, I love to spend a few hours relaxing at Folly Beach, or pick up local crafts and gourmet goodies at the Charleston City Market. Here are my curated recommendations for the best things to do in Charleston for first timers.
Charleston is hot and humid most of the year, so dress in layers to stay cool.
If you only have time for one thing, make it a horse-drawn carriage tour through the city’s historic district.
Get the lay of the land in the morning by exploring Charleston’s atmospheric French Quarter and Battery historic districts with a guided sightseeing tour. Opt for a horse-drawn carriage tour to cover highlights such as Rainbow Row, St. Philip’s Church, St. Michael’s Church, and Old Exchange & Provost Dungeon in just an hour without getting footsore. For a deeper dive into the must-see attractions in Charleston, opt for a walking tour along the city’s palmetto- and oak tree–lined streets past stately homes and lush gardens. Guided tours on foot generally last 2–3 hours, and private options can be customized to your group’s interests and ages.
Charleston is home to a lovely waterfront packed with parks, beaches, and bobbing boats. This afternoon, head to Waterfront Park to admire its Pineapple Fountain and take in the Arthur Ravenel Jr. (or Cooper River) Bridge, or stroll along The Battery and unwind at White Point Garden. History buffs can take a ferry to Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum or Fort Sumter National Monument, or explore estates such as Magnolia Plantation and Gardens or Drayton Hall on a plantation tour. Boat tours also depart from Charleston’s harbor, ideal for dolphin watching or simply taking in the cityscape from the water.
Charleston’s long and fraught history makes the city a favorite destination for ghost hunters, and dark history tours by night top the list of what to do in Charleston for first-time visitors. Join a guide for a moonlit walk past some of the most haunted locations in the historic district—including spooky churches, graveyards, and back alleys—or opt for a horse-and-carriage ghost tour and learn the city’s ghoulish history during the ride. Older visitors can pair their boos with booze on a haunted pub crawl that pairs chilling tales with chilled drinks at some of the city’s most lively watering holes.
